Photo of rotating scale and falling coins

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a rotating scale and falling coins. It clarifies that the first coin does not remain in its initial position due to gravitational force, making option (a) incorrect. The main confusion lies between options (B) and (C), with the conclusion that coins beyond a certain distance from the pivot will fall off the scale, supporting option (B) as the correct answer. Participants emphasize the need to apply Newton's laws of motion and determine the initial angular acceleration of the scale for accurate analysis. The final consensus confirms that the reasoning and calculations presented are correct.
Pushoam
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Homework Statement


upload_2017-12-31_12-57-32.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


The option (a) says that the 1st coin remains at its earlier position. Due to gravitational force, the 1st coin falls down, hence option (a) is wrong.

I don’t understand the difference between option (B) and (C).

In my opinion, both option says that all of the coins which have left the scale falls down having same position vector.

I am not being able to apply Newton's laws of motion here.
 

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Please complete the template and provide the statement of the problem and the relevant equations.
 
kuruman said:
Please complete the template and provide the statement of the problem and the relevant equations.
The forces acting on the coin after leaving the scale is m ## \vec g ## .

The torque on the scale about the fixed end is

## mg \frac 1 2 L = \frac { mL^2} 3 \alpha ##

## \alpha = \frac { 3g } {2L} ##

that part of the scale ( which is at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## from the pivot ) has an acceleration magnitude ## \geq g ## .

So, the coins at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## will leave the scale, while the rest of the coin will remain on the scale. Hence, the answer is option (B).

Is this correct?
 
Pushoam said:
The option (a) says that the 1st coin remains at its earlier position.
As I read diagrams a to c, they all show the leftmost coins still on the scale, with the rightmost forming a horizontalline below the initial position. They only differ in where the bend in the line is. Yes, diagram a) has the bend very near the left, but not quite.
So you need to solve the problem analytically to find whereabouts the bend shpuld be, then see which diagram looks closest.
Pushoam said:
I am not being able to apply Newton's laws of motion here.
Why not? Try to determine the initial angular acceleration of the scale.
 
haruspex said:
Why not? Try to determine the initial angular acceleration of the scale.
Please see the post # 2.
 
Pushoam said:
The forces acting on the coin after leaving the scale is m ## \vec g ## .

The torque on the scale about the fixed end is

## mg \frac 1 2 L = \frac { mL^2} 3 \alpha ##

## \alpha = \frac { 3g } {2L} ##

that part of the scale ( which is at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## from the pivot ) has an acceleration magnitude ## \geq g ## .

So, the coins at a distance L' > ## \frac { 2L} 3 ## will leave the scale, while the rest of the coin will remain on the scale. Hence, the answer is option (B).

Is this correct?
Looks good.
 
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